Game in a nutshell: What was shaping up to be another low-scoring, nailbiter instead turned crazy in the ninth inning. Adam LaRoche put the Nationals up 4-3 with what looked like the game-winning, two-run homer off Joel Hanrahan. But Henry Rodriguez blew the save himself in the bottom of the ninth, uncorking two wild pitches and then serving up a two-run, walk-off homer to Rod Barajas on a first-pitch fastball at the letters. Just like that, the Nationals suffered a crushing defeat just when it appeared they would pull off a stunning, dramatic victory.

Hitting highlight: How important has LaRoche been to the Nationals this season? He's meant everything to them, and his return to the lineup tonight nearly produced a come-from-behind win. The veteran first baseman, who missed four games with a sore oblique muscle, singled in the fourth, drew a walk in the sixth and then provided theRead more »

It's time to be honest: Henry Rodriguez is a mental defective.From time to time he does freakish things pitching, but he is a mental defective nonetheless.Get rid of him. We cannot have this head case in our bullpen in the playoffs.

Comparing Adam LaRoche to Prince Fielder is comparing apples and oranges. Fielder is hitting in new ball parks and against a whole new set of pitchers. The only time you will be able to fairly compare the two will be as the season comes to a close. Doing so now is just plain silly.

Tough loss. Really should have pulled that one out. First Clip, then Henry gave up runs. My issue with Henry is that he still gets in trouble overthrowing pitches,especially his breaking balls. I would really like to know what pitches Ramos was calling that Henry was shaking off. Was Wilson calling for breaking balls and Henry wasn't feeling them? I wonder if Mark Z. can get some insight into that.

A mental defective? A head case? What odd comments. At least he got beat throwing his best pitch. He does have some issues to work on but most relievers do. Frankly with Lidge and Storen out, we need him

Agree re. the tough loss, but tomorrow is another day. Good to see LaRoche and Zimm back on the field, and FP and Bob back in the booth.Also, Henry has certainly had his problems with control and poise but "mental defective"? Really?

Umm…"How important has LaRoche been to the Nationals this season? He's meant everything to them, and his return to the lineup tonight was crucial to this come-from-behind win." I think you forgot to change that sentence, Mark!

What you going to is blow a fast ball by Prestley who couldn't hit the first two, not a curve ball he dinks into left center. Strike him out it is three up three down. I said that as he was pitching not after the fact. The homer didn't piss me off as much as trhowing the curve to a guy who couldn't hit the fast ball.

Well, as I see it, HR is certainly not a'mental defective' but I wouldn't let him off as easy as Kevin did–FP pointed out that because of the wild pitches and there being a man on third, Barajas knew HR couldn't throw a curve, and could sit on the fastball. Now if you decide that HR is no longer the closer (and I'd be very surprised if that's the decision right away) who do you turn to? Mattheus? Burnett? Do you maybe put Wang back in the rotation and ask Detweiler to close? What is the plan B til Storen comes back?

from the other thread.At what point do we start to have 2 pitchers warming in the pen in a save situation. If Henry does not have it in the pen don't send him out there.Maybe it is as simple as Henry is a nervous pervis. You could tell he was feeling it after his deep breath after the base hit. The more we see him in these pressure situations the more we find out he is a 7th inning 3-4 run lead type guy."Frickin Oh-No"

maybe middle relief for HRod and I am being nice. I said 2 weeks ago when he lost one the Dodger games, that he has done NOTHING since last season to improve his approach when he comes into the game. This clown lost 3 game last season on the same STUPID pitches. The season is not even 30 games old and already this LOSER has lost 3 games for this team. What makes this loss so much worse tonight is that Mccatty and Davey did NOTHING after HRod's first STUPID sinking curve on an 0-2 count to a batter who had a deer in the head light looks. Also, is Ramos a an idiot as well to even call such a pitch

I've said it before–the best reliever we have right now is Stammen. He's a bulldog. Ice water in those veins. He can handle the pressure and should be given the shot to close. Clippard should stay for the 8th, and we'll just wait for Storen to come back. Rodriguez should go back to 6th or 7th inning appearances.

Management keeps to their decisions long after they may have proven to be the correct one. Unfortunately, they will be the last to pull Espi from 2nd, Nady from the lineup and HROD from the closer role. It takes time to overcome denial. Oh and let's not give up on Bernadina either. Past performance is no indicator of future success ;(Signed Grumpy

Sounds better:Management keeps to their decisions long after they have been proven wrong.Denial is a difficult thought to be dislodged.eg: Titanic can't be sunk, Noone can escape from Alcatraz, HROD usually has good command of his curveball.

For me watching a game on TV (baseball, basketball) is not as relaxing as being there in person. Watching a losing game on TV is pure torture. Teams in either baseball or basketball don't play as well on the road as they do at home so the possibility of being tortured is so much higher. Last Wednesday I was able to see Desmond's walk off home run coming right at me. That was exciting and was just a great night. I have to be honest I didn't feel as good then as I feel bad now. I think that it is because there is no second guessing when my team wins. It all seems like it was meant to be. A loss seems like something that could have been done wasn't done. It is so hard to be a fan at times.

hiramhover, I actually have toned it down and I'm being nice to Hrod. if your OK with tonight, forget the game winning HR at the end, but with the clear cluelessness of HRod, Ramos and the coaches then I have nothing else to say. I am not OK with it and it is a serious red flag.

Sure looked a lot slower on MASN. Of course the person I was really mad long before that was Desi (I have given being mad at ESPI, he obviously needs to go down and get striaght) as he doesn't swing at strike one over the palte and wings at many strike 2's and 3's very few over the plate.)) Desi fileds the ball that rolls through his legs the worse that happens is a tie 4-4 at this point. We do not hit well enough that the palyers can afford to make errors. Just can't.Also Ejax gets two hits, what does Desi do frounds into double plays and on at least one it was a 2-0 count. Arg.As my wife says she wishes the player would get as angry about a loss as I do. Then again she says I hate losing at any game I play, and work on my game to get better. Really good at scrabble, and uno.I would be a terrible baseball player, not becuasse I can't see well enough, and too slow, but I could tolderate teammates blowing games. And I would be in 7th heaven after a win.

I hate walk-off losses, but when you're on the road and have to nurse a pulled-from-the-hat 1-run lead, these can happen. HRod is 6 for 8 in save situations, both blown ones on the road. It's a tough loss, but only 1 game. However, losses to teams you should beat in games you should win can come back to haunt you if you aspire to the play-offs. Chalk this one up to the painful learning process all teams go through when they are moving from also-ran to contender. Unfortunately, it's gonna be this way all year long. Hopefully, as the season goes on, the team can learn from and draw strength from overcoming these heartbreaking losses.Remember – in baseball momentum is only as good as tomorrow's starting pitcher!

here is the difference with the Joel Ward and HRod, I feel for Joel Ward, without him the Caps are not even playing in this series, he also took responsibility on a play that happen so fast that he rarely makes mistake like that in crucial times. I feel nothing of the sort for Hrod who makes the same stupid pitches every 3 games and every season and has never once said I lost the game for my team. as i said, i am being nice to HRod

Just watch the two hits tthe real problem is he missed the target each time pretty bad and left them hanging up. Wonder what his break down between home and away is, because he pitches a lot better at home.

I have given up on Davey benching Espinosa. He allows strike one to go over the plate (lots of you like that I do not especially with a batter who striking out a lot). then swings at strike 2 and 3 too often not coming even close to contact, because the pitch is no where near the plate). GO to Syracuse and learn where the strike zone is again. He is purely guessing now. Way too many strike outs for a non power hitter. We cannot afford the outs.

More decisions that we'll stick with no matter what the outcome. Desi is a leadoff hitter.Desi is a good hitter, but not a leadoff hitter. Leadoff guys are less aggressive, trying to get on base however they can thru a walk, single, whatever. The goal to get on base, keep the rally going so your big bats (eg: Harper, Zimmerman, LaRoche) get the chance to drive you in.Desi's agressiveness is good but 2 double plays and 1 K are better served after your big bats get a chance (eg: 6th)

One last thought.I wish Carajas was like Espi and let the first ptich go. No he saw a good strike and he swung. That is what I call hitting.I wished they had brought Stammen in to pitch to Barajas, I do not trust HRod on the road.

As stated above, any good hitter would be sitting on the fastball knowing Henry couldn't just keep bouncing his breaking ball. At this level even the worst hitters can catch up to a fastball when they know it is coming.I was really surprised that Clip didn't get the 9th inning role, but lets be serious, he wouldn't be batting 100% either. Meither would Drew. Sometimes your closer just blows it and its always a tough loss when that happens.As for Espi, well, I've been critical of him since spring training and thought we handed him a job he hadn't earned based soley on potential, not results. I see I've converted quite a few believers and there is no doubt in my mind that Davey can't keep on with blind faith. Sure its nice to know management has faith in you, but its great for the other 24 guys on the team to see that players that produce get rewarded and those that don't have to step it up. Right now it benefits no one having him in the lineup looking clueless at the plate no matter how good his defense is. Let him relearn his swing somewhere that it isn't costing the Nats 3 or 4 at bats a game.

(1) Nats are still in first place (even though ATL beat the Cubs).(2) Filly lost (after leading 4-0)(3) Fish lost.(4) Angels lost to the Twins. (I didn't know it was possible to lose to the Twins. Um, that used to be us.).Rizzo is still mad about Hamels hitting Harper and bragging about it. “He tried to pound his chest on the back of Bryce Harper,” Rizzo said of Hamels. “He popped off trying to be a tough guy. Yeah, well, I’m not gonna have it. Not with my player. No way.”Papelbon blew a save yesterday. He is being paid $11 million dollars not to blow saves. Henry gets $491K and, face it, he's a trainee. (I went to the pitching booth Sunday just for laughs and the machine timed my velocity at 1/4 what Henry throws.)Nats are going to lose games. Would you be happier losing them 14-3 and 10-3? Not me.

HRod is 6 for 8 in save situations,Yep. And he's still learning — he just turned 25 a few months ago. That's his first HR allowed this season. Growing pains, folks, growing pains. Nolan Ryan led the league in WP's at age 25, too. That's often the case with fireballers.HRod will come out stronger after some of these outings, and so he will be battle tested during the home-stretch in Sept. (Or, if he isn't, then Davey will know not to use him — which is also useful).In the meantime — patience. Or Bourbon and maalox. (I think we need a name for that drink: Bourlox?)these players get angry..they usually wait until they get in the clubhouseBut the pros are the ones that don't get too up after a win, or too down after a loss. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Tcostant said… I think Stammen could close too. Good idea. May 08, 2012 10:48 PM \____________________________I agree. I said that after the Dodgers game. Its not all about speed. Its about stuff. Not throwing but pitching. Not being impressed by velo but being impressed by hitting your spots.

But the pros are the ones that don't get too up after a win, or too down after a loss. It's a marathon, not a sprint. i don't agree..these guys are not robots..some get more upset/happy than others…i wouldn't generalize about which ones are 'pros'…if hrod isnt upset tonight that would be more troubling than the fact he cant reach the catcher with his curveball

Papelbon blew a save yesterday. He is being paid $11 million dollars not to blow saves. Henry gets $491K and, face it, he's a trainee.Wise words, Natslady. Papelbon lost yesterday by giving up a 3-run HR to Jordany Valdespin — a rookie who had 6 prior MLB at bats and zero hits.

A DC Wonk said…(Or, if [Rodriguez] isn't [battle-tested], then Davey will know not to use him — which is also useful).Wonk, this is a point that I think we often forget. When trying young guys, some will fail. That's part of the process too. The team had to try Anderson Hernandez, and find out he didn't work, in order to get to … well, second base still remains an issue, now doesn't it. Nerts.Pass the Bourlox.

i don't agree..these guys are not robots..some get more upset/happy than others.OK, perhaps for this evening. But every relief pitcher I ever heard talk about this subject says the same thing: one of the keys to being a good reliever is to "have a short memory." He'll be upset tonight, but he's got to be back on even keel tomorrow.

Papelbon didn't blow the save. It was a tie game but he still blew it. Sometimes you have to give kudos to the batter. I saw Papelbon in that game. He was hitting his spots.Henry on the other hand is missing by a huge margin.

tough game for hrd..the hitter has to believe you can throw a curve..not that important if its in the zone..he has to THINK a pitch might be acurve..he CANNOT wild pitcher that runner to third..takes the curve out of his reportoire…=disaster

Scott from Burke: that last comment is correct. Should have thrown any kind of non-fastball pitch to Barajas. If not a slider, then some change-up he has in his back pocket. Everyone from here to Indiana knew he was throwing a heater. McCatty must have gone to the restroom.

I know Davey's trying to take the long view with Espinosa, which is a great trait in a manager. But he knows a terrible at bat when he sees one, and right now Espinosa is embarrassing himself at the plate. That can't be good for his long term confidence. Davey's a smart guy. Lombardozzi is a perfect fit batting second, allowing Harper to move into his natural spot (for now) hitting third.I give the Espi experiment about one more week.

Leaders 18 13 .581 ½Trailers 22 16 .579 — This is correct. Percentage takes precedence. (Games behind is a shorthand way of looking at it, which is also correct _when_ both teams have played the same number of games).(and, Scott: "nutlady"? really??)

Really great. Start by Ejax tonight. LaRoche is really showing clutch this year. Desi had a ba game, but has been the hero enough times this year to get a pas. HRod was never supposed to be the closer, it seems like a stretch, but I do think he is he best current option. To me the next up would be Burnett, but I have a fantasy that it will be Ejax when Wang comes back. Not an expectation, just a wish. I like him. I think he could do it and I think he might get rich doing it.

As I said Henry isn't a closer … and Davey says well not YET. That's the operative word, YET?Please see the sign in front of Nats Park: Beware Construction Zone, Hard heads NOT required, Prospects under development.Henry is still more of a setup / backup closer / situational reliever that you don't use too often. He hasn't adapted to being in situations where its all on him every night. Kind of like Joel Hanrahan or Gascanrahan as the folks here to used to call him. Drew Storen is an engineer with a singular focus. He designed and built his pitching career around becoming a major league closer … he and Mike Rizzo literally planned it out step-by-step. It wasn't like that for Henry. Have to give Davey some leeway with Henry and Espinosa … after all look at the record? And think about where Riggleman would be at this point in the season.

I love Davey but Riggelman is still a fairly young guy..if he gets another shot and gets some good players in 20 years he could be a manager with one or 2 world series rings..it owuldn't shock me…the flaws he had last year that were pointed out by the press were legit and they are better off now with Davey…but Riggs is a smart guy who can manage…he does need to get more resppect from his players next time..but that winning streak they had last year was a lot of fun..their % with Riggs was slightlyu higher (I believe) last year than under Johnson

DC WonkThat Nolan Ryan comparison only goes so far. In his age 25 season (1972), Ryan had 18 WP — in 284 IP, or 1 WP per every ~16 IP.Henry had 14 WP in 65-2/3 IP last year, or one every 4.75 IP. This year, he's averaging 1 WP every 2 innings. Even for a reliever (and they tend to have higher rates), that's gawdawful. Henry is a work in progress, and I think he will progress. But he's still got a long way to go if he's ever to be a premium reliever.

I commend Davey for loyalty and sticking with HenRod and Espi and both have let him down.Steve said it right earlier today about the quality of Espi's hits on Friday and Saturday. Sunday he was back in a funk. Tonight he was back to lost.This isn't a Matt Stairs situation. Stairs didn't have options however Espi does. Has to be time to send him to AAA. Let him right himself. Time for Stammen to take over as closer.

DC WonkThat Nolan Ryan comparison only goes so far. In his age 25 season (1972), Ryan had 18 WP — in 284 IP, or 1 WP per every ~16 IP.Point taken. My broader point, however, is that a significant number of power pitchers often take a bit longer to develop. One of my favorite stats with Ryan is that there were six different years where he lead the league in both walks and K's. (and led the league is WP's 6 times).Randy Johnson — by age 28, after five seasons, he had a WHIP of over 1.400 (terrible) in four of those years. In hat fifth year, he led the league in BB's, K's, and HBP's (!).So, Henry, in my mind, has huge potential upside. But he's still working it out, and it'll take a while. (and it's possible he'll never work it out — but I'm optimistic with him).They don't call 'em "growing pains" for nothin' — it will be painful sometimes!

yeah, 100 monkeys typing for 10 years wuld eventually come up with your posts..i sat next to you at a game last year when you freaked out because people were doing the wave..myself and 2 other people moved because we were uncomfortable..you are nuts..stop commenting on what i write ..youre always wrong..or keep doing it and i'll continue as well

Demoralizing loss to be sure, I think Peric hit the nail on the head. This is a relatively young team that is learning the ups and downs of a marathon.I for one am enjoying the roller coaster ride.Love this Blog and all the posts..great reading after work.I was wondering, is it a prerequisite to be all knowing to live in Burke? A customized keyboard required also? Just wondering…

"I love Davey but Riggelman is still a fairly young guy..if he gets another shot and gets some good players in 20 years he could be a manager with one or 2 world series rings"Riggleman is in great physical shape, and acts like a kid sometimes (e.g. Caddie's), but he's pushing 60. He'll never manage in the bigs again. Thank God.

You know, that was actually a very difficult play. He was hurrying to second to cover the steal and the ball was just scorched up the middle. If I were the official scorer, I would have given him a hit.